Wind actuated control device and method of regulation thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises an assemblage of a wind-sensitive device coupled to responsive power-operated means which in turn are connected to a given deice which requires movement or adjustment dictated by wind direction or wind velocity, or both. In the example given, the invention, as shown in the specification, is shown by way of illustration, as connected to and controlling the nozzle fit of a rotary irrigation sprinkler, with respect to the horizontal, and with respect to the windvelocity and direction, in order automatically to achieve an optimum spray pattern.

United stateS Patent [1 1 3,667,673 Knudsen 1 June 6, 1972 54] WINDACTUATED CONTROL DEVICE 3,099,393 7/1963 Lent ..239/265 x AND METHOD OFREGULATION THEREOF [72] Inventor: Vlademar Knudsen, 2443 Makiki HeightsDrive, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 [22] Filed: Nov. 5, 1970 [211 App]. No.:87,073

[52] US. Cl "239/1, 239/256, 239/265 [51] Int. Cl 1 ..BOSb 17/00 [58]Field ofSearch ..239/l,265, 177,261,256

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,232,208 7/1917 Buckner..239/26l 1,796,942 3/1931 Pottenger, Jr... ...239/DIG. 1 2,988,2876/1961 Sherman ..239/177 X Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr.Assistant Examiner.lohn J. Love Attorney-Mauro & Lewis [5 7] ABSTRACTThe invention comprises an assemblage of a wind-sensitive device coupledto responsive power-operated means which in turn are connected to agiven deice which requires movement or adjustment dictated by winddirection or wind velocity, or both.

In the example given, the invention, as shown in the specification, isshown by way of illustration, as connected to and controlling the nozzlefit of a rotary irrigation sprinkler, with respect to the horizontal,and with respect to the wind-velocity and direction, in orderautomatically to achieve an optimum spray pattern.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures WATER INTAKE UNDER PRESSURE 19 SHEET 10F 2VALDEMAR KNUDSEN INVENTOR.

BY MAURO 8 LEW/S,

ATTORNEYS WENTEDJUH 6 I972 mmbmwmmm 59 3 8 $55 mf WIND ACTUATED CONTROLDEVICE AND METHOD OF REGULATION THEREOF BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONBroadly, the invention is useful by coupling it to any device whichrequires adjustment automatically depending on conditions of windvelocity and wind direction.

The invention is obviously applicable as a control device for any drivendevice which requires automatic adjustment due to wind conditions. A fewexamples would be windmills, windows, chimney vents, wind indicators,etc.

The present invention was conceived as an aid for use in connection withlarge irrigation devices for use in watering crops in arid areas. Thesedevices or machines employ rotary sprinklers which cover a wide area,are usually truck or trailer mounted, and are preferably left unattendedfor long periods of time. Ordinary machines of this type operate bywater pressure, if available, or by pumping and rotating from anauxiliary power source.

Sophisticated examples of such machines are found in the US. Pat. Nos.3,047,240 granted July 31, 1962 and in its continuation US. Pat. No.3,099,393 granted July 30, 1963.

To simplify this specification, the teachings of said prior patents areincorporated herein by way of reference thereto, and the specificationof this invention illustrates it as applicable to said patentedsprinklers in order to demonstrate a practical and useful embodimentofthe invention.

In the art of employing large rotary sprinklers for irrigating cropsunder arid conditions, water supplies must be conserved to the greatestextent; the spray pattern must be as uniform as intended with respect tothe location of the sprinkler, and when the sprinklers are in remotelocations, manual attention to the same should be reduced to the minimumfor obvious economic reasons.

In this art, the factor of wind direction and velocity plays animportant part. If, for example, a rotary sprinkler nozzle is adjustedat a certain elevation throughout its entire rotation cycle and if thewind shifts to other directions, or ifits velocity increases ordecreases, or both, the sprinkler in question will spray an irregularpattern and thus cause water wastage and crop loss.

The problem can be stated somewhat differently, by explaining that if,in a rotary sprinkler, the angle of the nozzle is adjusted to spray aneven and desirable pattern in its passage through the down-wind arc,then this same nozzle setting will be too high for the upwind arc,resulting in a blowback where too much water is delivered too close tothe sprinkler.

Partial solutions to the problem of adjusting the nozzle angle withrespect to wind conditions may be found in the above cited patents. Inboth ofthese, US. Pat. Nos. 3,047,240 and 3,099,393, the spray nozzle ismounted on a tiltable stand whose angle with respect to terrain and windconditions may be initially adjusted. Also, in both patents, the nozzleis reversible and can, for example, spray a downwind semicircle only.

US. Pat. No. 3,099,393 adds the further solution of a mechanism to speedup the noule movement as it passes through the upwind are.

All of these above solutions require a manual readjustment of themechanism whenever the wind varies, which is virtually impossible toachieve without constant attention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the drawings, by way of illustration,the invention is applied to a gimbal-mounted support carrying a rotaryspray nozzle. The source of water supply to said nozzle and the meansfor rotating it can be conventional (i.e. water pressure per se, or byan auxiliary power system) or the invention may be applied to theirrigation units shown in the above mentioned prior patents. The nozzlesupport and nozzle are thus rendered tiltable in any direction of thecompass to a degree sufficient to adjust to both wind direction andvelocity, by the means of comprising the invention.

A pair of wind vanes set at right angles to each other are deflectableby the wind, the shafts thereof being rotable and are separatelyconnected to a pair of servo-valves or the like connected to a poweroperated hydraulic system. The vane shafts are also restrained in theirmovement by control springs. Further, the servo-valves are connected tohydraulic cylinders which in turn are connected at right angles to therotary spray support, and the vane shafts are mechanically connected (asby flexible cable) to points adjacent the connections of the hydrauliccylinders on the rotary spray support.

The net result of the foregoing arrangement is that the hydrauliccontrols tilt the spray nozzle platform in such a manner as to beresponsive to wind direction and velocity, but at the same time arechecked in their response to a degree dictated by the aforesaidmechanical controls, as will be further explained below. Accordingly,the tilt angle of the rotary spray nozzle is constantly andautomatically adjusted to wind conditions during each revolution of thespray nozzle.

The method, according to the invention, consists of the steps ofproviding a tiltable rotary sprinkler nozzle supplied by water underpressure and a source of rotary power; providing wind-sensitive means,and connecting these together in a way to adjust the sprinkler nozzle ina manner above described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of theinvention, with parts shown in section, illustrated as applicable to therotary nozzle of an irrigation device, the operating parts of the spraybeing omitted;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of an assumed position of the windvanes of the invention, for use in explaining its operation in the textbelow; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing an alternative valveassemblage for operating the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: SPECIES I To illustrate the invention withthe utmost simplicity, FIG. 1 shows it in extended diagrammatic formwith most of the supporting framework such as the supports 10a, 10b and10c shown only fragmentarily. f

The device to be controlled respecting its degree of tilt as abovedescribed is the rotary spray nozzle 11 fed by a flexible hose 12. Thesource of water under pressure is indicated by a suitable legend; themeans for rotating nozzle 11 are omitted, but may be the same as shownin the prior patents mentioned above.

Nozzle 11 is rotated above a supporting platform 13, the platformforming the top of a gimbal stand generally indicated at 14, having abase support 15. For the purposes of illustration, it is assumed thatthe front of the gimbal stand 14 faces South in FIG. 1, and that therear of it faces North in the direction of the arrow N indicated at 16.

Gimbal stand 14 is composed of two movable portions, the lower one beingan intermediate support 17 supported by a pair of pivoted arms 18allowing support 17 to be pivoted or tilted in an East West direction.(The rear arm 18 is not shown). Support 17 in turn carries a pair ofarms 19 at right angles to arms 18 and pivotally connected to platform13 carrying the rotary-powered nozzle 1 1, thus allowing platform 13 tobe tilted in a North South direction. It will thus be evident that thisassemblage allows nozzle 11 to be tilted with respect to the horizontaltoward any point in the compass. There are many other forms of gimbalmountings known in the art which would serve the purposes of thisinvention,

On the left side of FIG. 1 are shown a pair of flags or wind vanes 20and 21 mounted at right angles to one another on stafi's 22 and 23. Forpurposes of illustration, as shown in FIG. 2, when at rest, or in asituation where there is complete lack of wind, flag 20 is assumed to beerected in an East West direction, and flag 21 is assumed to be erectedin a North South direction.

Staffs 22 and 23 are rotationally mounted throughout their lengths butthe amount of such movement is restricted on their passage through framea by semicircular rings 25 and 26 carrying springs 27 and 28. Arms 30and 31 affixed to staffs 22 and 23 carry notches 32 and 33 which engagesprings 27 at their midsections. By this arrangement it will beunderstood that the rotational capability of each of staffs 22 and 23 islimited to the possible maximum of about 180, and that no matter inwhich direction staffs 22 and 23 are urged to rotate in response to windforces exerted upon vanes 20 and 21, a re sistance to said rotarymovement will be exerted by the action of springs 27 and 28 against thearms 30 and 31. The desired amount of resistance is adjusted by theselection of springs having the desired compressive resistance. Theoperation of this portion of the invention will be explained furtherbelow.

The staffs 22 and 23 next pass into, and are connected to, the operativeportions of a pair of servo-valves 35 and 36. These valves are suppliedwith oil under pressure through input fluid lines from fluid motor andthe return lines 41 I feed into the sump 42 connected to motor 40.

Leading out of servo-valve 35 are a pair of fluid pipes or lines 43 and44. These lead to the top and bottom of a cylinder 45 containing apiston 46. The cylinder 45 is pivotally connected to support 17 and theshaft of piston 46 is pivotally connected to the nozzle platform 13.Similarly, a pair of fluid lines 50 and 5! connect to the top and bottomof a cylinder 53 containing a piston 54, cylinder 53 being mounted atright angles to cylinder 45, pivotally connected to base support 15, theshaft of piston 54 being pivotally connected to platform 13, the latterconnection being set at right angles to the connection for the shaft ofpiston 46.

The feed back shafts 22a and 22b of the servo-valves are at their lowertips fitted with extension arms 55 and 56, respectively and adjustablyconnected to the flexible cables 57 and 58, in turn being connected attheir origins to frame segments 10b and 10c. Flexible cable 57 isattached to platform 13 of the gimbal stand 14 at a point closelyadjacent the attachment thereto of the shaft of piston 46; similarly,flexible cable 58 is attached to platform 13 closely adjacent to thejuncture therewith of piston 54, their respective jackets being attachedto the main frame.

The servo-valves 35 and 36 chosen for illustration in FIG. 1 arecommercially available items known as Servalves" (T.M. Reg. No. 780,851)made by Airoyal Engineering Company of Roseland, New Jersey. TheirBulletin No. 8-1 describes the operation of such valves.

As connected to the invention, these will permit a fluid load to bedelivered to a selected degree and in a selected direction into thelines 43 or 44 and lines 50 and 51, these factors of course control theaction of pistons 46 and 54, and reach a static condition when therotation of shafts 22a and 23b is checked at a given point by themechanical action of springs 27 and 28 against arms 30 and 31.

The noule deck 13 continues to tilt until the feed back shafts 220and/or 23a are rotated by the feedback cables 57 and/or 58 to coincidewith the rotation of shafts 22 and 23, thereby shutting off the oilflow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: SPECIES II FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG.1, the principal difference being that a different type of servo-valveis employed. Accordingly, all parts similar to those already describedare given similar reference numerals with the addition of a cipher (0).For example, vane 20 of FIG. 1 is marked vane 200 on FIG. 3. Thesesimilar parts will not be redcscribed except where necessary to anunderstanding of FIG. 3. Differing parts will be marked commencing withnumeral 60.

In FIG. 3, valves 60 and 61 are substituted for the servovalves 35-36 ofFIG. 1. Valves 60-61 are standard valves of either a pressure-to-tanktype, a closed center type, or tapered lands servo types. Shown by wayof illustration are directional control ofa closed center type valve.

Such valves are commercially made, for example, by the Becltett-HarcumCompany of Wilmington, Ohio 45 [77, as illustrated in the currentcatalogue under the Registered Trademark HI-Cyclic. The valvesillustrated generally in FIG. 3 and may be treated as the"pressure-to-tank" type.

These valves are mounted for rotational movement along with the staffs220 and 230 by pivoting them on pedestals 62453 shown fragmentarily inFIG. 3. Because of this movement, all fluid or mechanical connectionswith gimbal stand 140 are rendered flexible.

Due to this construction, fluid is passed through lines 430 or 440 fromvalve 60, and through lines 500 and 510 from valve 61, into cylinders460 and 530 in the same manner as in FIG. 1, with consequent tiltingaction of the platform and nozzle 1 10, responsive to wind action uponthe vanes 200-210.

This movement is checked when the valve stems 64-65 are returned toneutral to stop the oil flow via the connections 570-580, feeding backthe degree of tilt, thus closing the valve.

MODE OF OPERATION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 by way ofexample, if the wind is from the North, vane 21 is not influenced, butvane 20 is urged to move staff 22 counterclockwise. Oil under pressurewould then flow through line 44 into the base of cylinder 45, elevatingpiston 46 and hence tilting platform 13 and nozzle downwardly in thedirection of North, thus achieving the spray pattern results alreadyexplained as an object of the invention.

Should however, the wind be from the South, vane 21 is again notinfluenced, but vane 20 is urged to move staff 22 in a clockwisedirection causing a flow of oil under pressure through line 43 insteadof line 44, thus depressing platform 13 and nozzle 11 in a Southerlydirection, by the depression of piston 46 and its connections.

In either case as above described, cable 57 will mechanically stop thetilting action exerted by piston 46 by closing the valve, the net resultbeing the desired position as dictated by the then existing windpressure and velocity.

If the wind blows from the West or the East, vane 21 becomes similarlyactive and a depressive West or East tilt of nozzle 11 results byactivation of piston 54.

Obviously, if the wind blows from other directions, such as Northeast,Southwest, etc., both vanes and both staffs 22 and 23 are actuated atonce, in a manner which will be understood from the simplifiedexplanations found above.

What is claimed is:

l. A wind actuated control device for controlling the angle of pitch ofa rotatable irrigation spray nozzle, said nozzle being rotatablytiltably supported and supplied with rotating means and a source ofwater under pressure, said control device including a supporting frame,wind-sensitive means located thereon mechanically movable in response towind character'istics consisting of wind velocity and direction from anycompass point; and means connecting said wind-sensitive means to saidsupported tiltable spray nozzle for depressing or elevating the deliveryangle of said nozzle during rotation, in accordance with the values ofsaid wind characteristics.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the windsensitive meansinclude a pair of rotatable wind vanes set at right angles to oneanother.

3. The invention according to claim 2, wherein the said pair of windvanes are spring-urged to a neutral position in the absence of windaffecting their rotation.

4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said means connectingsaid wind-sensitive means to said support of said spray nozzle include ahydraulic system having a source of fluid under pressure, said systemincluding valve means having fluid connections to cylinders connected tosaid spray nozzle support, with piston means in said cylinders foraltering the tilt of said spray support in response to said windcharacteristics.

5. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the windsensitive meansincludes a pair of wind vanes rotatively mounted at right angles on asupport by staffs spring-urged to a neutral position in the absence ofwind affecting either of them, the staffs being each in turn connectedto an hydraulic system including a servo-valve, each servo-valve beingfurnished with fluid under pressure, and being adjusted to supply afluid flow in response to the movement of its connected vane staff; apair of hydraulic cylinders containing pistons connected at right anglesto the tiltable support of said rotary spray nozzle; a pair of fluidlines leading from each valve to the opposite ends of said hydrauliccylinders; and mechanical means connected between the wind vane staffsand the tiltable support of said nozzle checking the fluid line flow tosaid cylinders in response to said wind characteristics.

6. The method of regulating the pitch of a rotary-powered irrigationspray nozzle with respect to wind velocity and intensity, wherein themethod steps consist of:

mounting said nozzle for rotary motion in such manner that its anglewith respect to its horizontal mounting may be varied at any pointduring its cycle of rotation;

providing wind responsive means for detection of wind characteristics;

mounting said wind-responsive means in a manner to detect saidcharacteristics consisting of wind direction and velocity from anycompass point;

and connecting said wind responsive means with said nozzle mounting andsaid nozzle automatically to counteract by depressing said nozzle to aselected degree and to elevate said nozzle to a selected degree withrespect to upwind and down-wind movements and force of said winddirection, thereby to provide an optimum irrigation pattern.

UNTTED STATES PATENT oTTTTJE QERTEMQATE @F RRETWN Patent No. 3 DatedJune -97 Inventoflg) Valdemar Knudsen It is certified that error appearsin the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet {72] "Vlademar" should read Valdemar Abstract line 8,"fit".should read tilt Signed and sealed this 19th day of December1972;,

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD MTFLETCI-ERJR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents ORM PO-IOSO (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 uos. GOVERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE: was o-aae-aaa,

1. A wind actuated control device for controlling the angle of pitch ofa rotatable irrigation spray nozzle, said nozzle being rotatablytiltably supported and supplied with rotating means and a source ofwater under pressure, said control device including a supporting frame,wind-sensitive means located thereon mechanically movable in response towind characteristics consisting of wind velocity and direction from anycompass point; and means connecting said wind-sensitive means to saidsupported tiltable spray nozzle for depressing or elevating the deliveryangle of said nozzle during rotation, in accordance with the values ofsaid wind characteristics.
 2. The invention according to claim 1,wherein the wind-sensitive means include a pair of rotatable wind vanesset at right angles to one another.
 3. The invention according to claim2, wherein the said pair of wind vanes are spring-urged to a neutralposition in the absence of wind affecting their rotation.
 4. Theinvention according to claim 1, wherein said means connecting saidwind-sensitive means to said support of said spray nozzle include ahydraulic system having a source of fluid under pressure, said systemincluding valve means having fluid connections to cylinders connected tosaid spray nozzle support, with piston means in said cylinders foraltering the tilt of said spray support in response to said windcharacteristics.
 5. The invention according to claim 1, wherein thewind-sensitive means includes a pair of wind vanes rotatively mounted atright angles on a support by staffs spring-urged to a neutral positionin the absence of wind affecting either of them, the staffs being eachin turn connected to an hydraulic system including a servo-valve, eachservo-valve being furnished with fluid under pressure, and beingadjusted to supply a fluid flow in response to the movement of itsconnected vane staff; a pair of hydraulic cylinders containing pistonsconnected at right angles to the tiltable support of said rotary spraynozzle; a pair of fluid lines leading from each valve to the oppositeends of said hydraulic cylinders; and mechanical means connected betweenthe wind vane staffs and the tiltable support of said nozzle checkingthe fluid line flow to said cylinders in response to said windcharacteristics.
 6. The method of regulating the pitch of arotary-powered irrigation spray nozzle with respect to wind velocity andintensity, wherein the method steps consist of: mounting said nozzle forrotary motion in such manner that its angle with respect to itshorizontal mounting may be varied at any point during its cycle ofrotation; providing wind responsive means for detection of windcharacteristics; mounting said wind-responsive means in a manner todetect said characteristics consisting of wind direction and velocityfrom any compass point; and connecting said wind responsive means withsaid nozzle mounting and said nozzle automatically to counteract bydepressing said nozzle to a selected degree and to elevate said nozzleto a selected degree with respect to upwind and down-wind movements andforce of said wind direction, thereby to provide an optimum irrigationpattern.